The Official Site of TJ Ford

Tue, Feb 26th 2008, 15:12

Ford comes up with finishing touch

INDIANAPOLIS–Sometimes it gets tiring listening to Sam Mitchell harp on about the same old things, and then nights like last night unfold and it’s easy to see why he’s been so consistent in his message.

One of his mantras since early December has been how important it is for the Raptors to have both T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon operating at peak efficiency, a message that’s been lost or at least ignored because of Calderon’s consistently excellent play this season.

But Calderon was due for an off night and watching Ford do what Ford does best here last night – breaking down defences with his breakneck speed, darting here and there and everywhere in between, frustrating opponents and setting up teammates – made Mitchell look like a pretty bright fellow.

Ford, playing the entire fourth quarter of a nip-and-tuck game, had 16 points and seven assists as the obviously tired Raptors found some inner resolve to pull away for a 102-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

“Jose’s played a lot of minutes and he’s been unbelievable but we need them both,” Mitchell said after Toronto ran its record to 31-24. “It’s a change of pace for our basketball team; you have to play them differently. When T.J. comes in the game, he gives you a different look and when Jose comes back he gives you a different look. They make our team go.”

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